And, of course, Christmas Gambon-bon-bons

With Moff’s first Christmas special’s pre-production gearing up for a delayed August shoot, the details are starting to come forth and it seems we have the confirmation of the Big Guest Stars:

It’s been confirmed that the BAFTA-winning Sir Michael Gambon and Welsh star Katherine Jenkins are playing major roles in the 2010 Doctor Who Christmas Special.

Gambon! And, er… Jenkins! I’m going to lay my cards down on the table now and say that Gambon will be the ‘pilot’ of the The Orient Express (in Space!) and that Jenkins will be the on-board cabaret who will doubtlessly become a one episode companion. And not be very good. But probably not as bad as Kylie. Maybe. However, Gambon, here playing the role of Geoffrey Palmer, will almost certainly be excellent and it’s certainly one of those classic new Who castings that you just know will be spot on.

It’s worth pointing out that The Orient Express (in Space!) isn’t the definite plot just yet, but I’d say it’s a fair bet. Personally I’d prefer an actual proper historical for a Christmas Special (The Next Doctor is by far the best of RTD’s era) but, let’s face it, this ain’t going to be a Voyage of the Damned II despite the current, superficial similarities.

Jonathan Capps‘ name translates in the old Draconian tongue as “The Oncoming Storm”. Curiously enough, when spelled out backwards, it translates in Kaled as “Gobby Northerner Who Likes Sandwiches”.